United Club vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Let's break down why we like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card.

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• Cardholders earn bonus points on Southwest Airlines® purchases and at gas stations and grocery stores, though the latter has an annual spending cap.
• While the card carries an annual fee, it also provides useful travel protections like lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance.
• The annual fee is nearly offset each year by combining the 3,000 anniversary bonus points with two EarlyBird Check-In® credits, which are valued at up to $50 (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• The path to the Southwest Companion Pass® is accelerated, as all points earned with the card count toward qualification.
• Annual benefits, including bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In® credits, provide consistent value year after year.
• Cardholders get access to a complimentary DashPass membership for a limited time, adding an everyday spending perk.

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Cons

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• The card lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access, upgraded boarding, or in-flight discounts.
• Point-earning rates are modest, and redemption options are less flexible compared to other travel cards.
• It does not include an annual travel credit, a perk found on some higher-tier travel cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs United Club

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the United Club or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, depends entirely on your travel habits and what you value in a credit card.

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• The United Club℠ Card is built for frequent United Airlines flyers and travelers who prioritize premium benefits like airport lounge access and travel protections. It's best suited for those loyal to United who are seeking a more comfortable and streamlined travel experience.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a great fit for occasional Southwest flyers, budget-conscious travelers, and those working toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass. This card is geared toward travelers who fly Southwest a few times a year and want to earn rewards without committing to a premium card.

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Redemption

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United Club℠ Card: Points are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights with United and its Star Alliance partners. You can also use points for seat upgrades, hotel stays, and other travel-related experiences.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, with no blackout dates. All points earned also count toward qualifying for the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass.

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Travel Perks

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• United Club℠ Card:
  • Lounge Access: Cardmembers receive a full United Club membership, granting access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance affiliated lounges worldwide.
  • Free Checked Bags: The primary cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation can check their first and second standard bags for free on United-operated flights.
  • Travel Protections: Comes with a range of travel and purchase protections, including trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and baggage delay insurance.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card does not have foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travel.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card:
  • Anniversary Bonus: Cardmembers receive bonus points after their cardmember anniversary each year.
  • Early Boarding: Provides a set number of EarlyBird Check-Ins annually, which offers the convenience of automatic check-in before the traditional 24-hour check-in window.
  • In-flight Savings: Offers a discount on in-flight purchases like drinks and Wi-Fi.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card includes a foreign transaction fee for purchases made abroad.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Unlock special rewards, track your spending, and monitor your credit score all in one place.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card is tailor-made for frequent United flyers who prioritize comfort, offering complimentary access to United Club and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide. Business and international travelers will also find significant value in its Premier Access® services, which include priority check-in and security screening, and robust travel protections. Furthermore, it's a strong choice for MileagePlus members looking to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) through card spending to help them reach elite status.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want airline perks without a hefty annual fee. It's also a strategic tool for those working towards the coveted Southwest Companion Pass or for beginners just dipping their toes into the world of travel rewards. Overall, this card serves as a strong entry point for Southwest loyalists looking to maximize their rewards on flights and everyday spending, as detailed in this complete 2025 guide.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Club vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect travel companion, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better fit for your wallet and travel style.

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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending – Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Review issuer rules – Be aware of any application restrictions, especially if you have other cards from the same bank.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules – Some banks have restrictions on how many cards you can open within a certain period.
• Align the card with your loyalty – Choose a co-branded card for an airline you frequently fly to maximize its value.
• Time your application for major perks – A welcome offer can be a stepping stone toward valuable benefits like the Southwest Companion Pass.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for occasional travelers?

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For those who fly infrequently, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card often provides better value due to its lower annual fee. The United Club card's premium benefits are typically best utilized by frequent United flyers.

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Can I have both the United Club and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus cards?

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Yes, you can hold both cards simultaneously if you are approved by the respective issuers. This strategy can be beneficial for travelers who fly regularly on both United and Southwest and want to maximize rewards across both airlines.

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What happens to my miles if I cancel my card?

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Your United MileagePlus miles and Southwest Rapid Rewards points are held in your airline loyalty accounts, not with the credit card. They will remain in your account even if you close the card, as long as the loyalty account stays active according to the airline's policies.

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